Hugo Chavez has about two years to live

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, who undergoes anti-cancer treatment, may live for not more than two years. This opinion was voiced by Salvador Navarrete, who had been Chavez's personal surgeon in Venezuela.

"When I say this, it means that he has no more than two years left. Judging by the information from his family, Chavez has a tumor in his pelvis, or sarcoma, and this is why he is receiving such aggressive chemotherapy treatment," the surgeon said in an interview with Mexican Milenio Semanal publication.

According to Navarrete, the decision to bring forward the presidential vote in Venezuela is based on the negative prognosis in Chavez's treatment. The surgeon served as one of Chavez's personal doctors since 2002, Gazeta.ru said.

The interview with Navarrete was published on Sunday, when the Venezuelan leader had flown to Cuba for medical examination and four courses of chemotherapy.

On June 10, Chavez received surgery in connection with the intrapelvic tumor. Ten days later, the Venezuelan leader was operated on again: doctors removed a malignant tumor from his intestines. Afterwards, the president received four courses of chemotherapy.

Hugo Chavez has been ruling Venezuela since 1999. He has recently announced an intention to run for presidency in 2012. Despite his health condition, Chavez is determined to win the vote, RBC reports.